Policy Analyst and Senior Policy Analyst

Important messages

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the evaluation process, please use the Contact information below to request specialized accommodation. All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Assessment accommodation

Not your average department! WD is one of Alberta’s best employers because of its support for employees, innovative workplace and ability to make a difference in the lives of Western Canadians. We are driven to be the best at what we do. We hire top talent and provide an employment experience that brings out the best in people. We are motivated by achieving great results for Canadians.

Why Choose WD:
• Work with amazing people who support each other
• Meaningful work that makes a difference to the country
• Excellent compensation package
• Flexible work arrangements
• Modern work tools and technology

Please note: As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, we are primarily working remotely for the time being. Interviews and related assessments will be conducted virtually throughout this staffing process. Applicants are responsible to ensure they have a reliable internet connection and access. If you are appointed to a position, WD will provide tools and/or equipment to support remote work.

We are committed to providing an inclusive and barrier-free work environment, starting with the hiring process. If you need to be accommodated during any phase of the process, please contact Nathaniel Harrigan by email at . All information received in relation to accommodation will be kept confidential.

Duties

Western Economic Diversification is looking for Policy Analyst and Senior Policy Analyst. We are looking for people who think independently, work creatively and enjoy working in a team environment to support the priorities of the department. As a Policy Analyst and Senior Policy Analyst, you will be challenged to connect with people, build relationships, and develop creative approaches to addressing challenges or opportunities related to economic development in the West.

Work environment

The Policy Planning and External Relations unit works within the Alberta regional office for WD. Our team is responsible for providing federal leadership, management, and guidance on economic issues facing the Alberta region. We drive, build, and enhance strategic partnerships with regional stakeholders and other federal government departments in order to advocate for policies and programs that support the region’s strategic initiatives. Our partners view WD as the catalyst for helping to solve economic challenges. Our team helps to support WD and the Government of Canada by monitoring key risks (microeconomic and macroeconomic issues) to Alberta’s economy and quantify their impact. Our work often involves coordinating and collaborating with different teams and other government departments and organizations in order to advance regional economic development strategies.

Our Purpose (why we exist): To develop and support a strong Western Canadian economy that is sustainable, and inclusive. We achieve this by collaborating with stakeholders and acting as a catalyst, providing leadership and advice in the advancement, coordination and implementation of strategic priorities, policies and initiatives.

Our Team Values (how we work – our core principles and commitments):
We are mission-driven, collegial & collaborative, diverse & inclusive, and accountable & transparent.

Intent of the process

A pool of qualified candidates (fully assessed or partially assessed) will be established and may be used to staff similar positions at this group and level. This process may be used for various positions and tenures (including but not limited to term and indeterminate appointments, internal assignments, secondments, deployments, acting appointments, casual) as well as various locations, security requirements, language requirements and conditions of employment. The pool of qualified candidate may also be shared and accessed with other federal government departments.

Positions to be filled: 3

Information you must provide

Your résumé.

A covering letter

In order to be considered, your application must clearly explain how you meet the following (essential qualifications)

Education: Graduation with a degree from a recognized post-secondary institution in business administration, commerce, public administration, economics, sociology or statistics or a related discipline – with an acceptable specialization in economics, political science, public policy, sociology and/or statistics.

Candidates must always have a degree. The courses for the specialization must be acceptable and may have been taken at a recognized post-secondary institution, but not necessarily within a degree program in the required specialization. The specialization may also be obtained through an acceptable combination of education, training and/or experience

Degree equivalency

EC-04 Stream Experience:
- Experience researching and analyzing economic policy issues.

- Experience in the development of policy papers and reports that use both quantitative and qualitative information.

- Experience working with datasets and compiling and analyzing complex information from multiple sources.

- Experience preparing briefing materials (including reports and/or briefing notes, speaking notes, white papers, and policy briefs) on policy issues for senior management.

- Experience working interdependently in a collaborative environment with cross- functional colleagues.

EC-05 Stream Experience:
- Experience leading research and analysis on a broad range of economic development issues and opportunities.

- Experience in applying quantitative and qualitative analysis techniques to the evaluation of policy issues.

- Experience collaborating on policy initiatives with partners and stakeholders.

- Experience preparing briefing materials (including reports and/or briefing notes, speaking notes, white papers, and policy briefs) on policy issues for senior management.

- Experience managing projects or leading project teams.

EC-06 Stream Experience:
- Significant* experience managing complex** projects or leading interdisciplinary project teams.

- Significant* experience leading research and analysis on a broad range of economic development issues and opportunities.

- Significant* experience collaborating on policy initiatives with partners and stakeholders.

- Significant* experience preparing briefing materials (including reports and/or briefing notes, speaking notes, white papers, and policy briefs) on policy issues for senior management.

- Significant* experience in the development and implementation of government strategies, policies, or programs.

- Significant* experience providing strategic advice and recommendations to senior government officials on complex** economic development issues and policies.

*Significant experience is defined as having the depth and breadth of experience that would normally be acquired with the performance of full time duties for a period of three years or more.
**Complex issues are defined as issues that are ambiguous, poorly defined, and require input, expertise, and analysis from multiple sectors, organizations, or disciplines.

The following will be applied / assessed at a later date (essential for the job)

English essential

Information on language requirements

Knowledge: (All Streams)
• Information sources and methods necessary for the analysis of regional development and economic policy issues
• Economic issues related to Alberta and/or Western Canada
• Alberta’s and/or Western Canada’s innovation ecosystem

Competencies (All Streams):
• Demonstrating integrity/respect;
• Thinking things through;
• Working with others;
• Showing initiative/being action-oriented; and
• Communication (Oral and Written)

Abilities (All Streams)
• Ability to convert complex information into simple language for a broad range of audiences.

The following may be applied / assessed at a later date (may be needed for the job)

- Experience related to legal instruments, such as the review and analysis of an Act and/or regulations.

- Experience in conducting public policy related research and preparing reports on the performance metrics.

- Experience converting complex information into simple language for a broad range of audiences.

- Experience facilitating or moderating meetings with diverse stakeholders.

- Experience working with Indigenous communities and organizations to support their vision for the future.

- Experience working in the innovation and emerging sector space.

- Private-sector experience.

- Depth, breadth and scope in any one or combination of experience factors.

Knowledge:
• Demonstrated knowledge in Indigenous issues in Alberta and Canada, including Indigenous governance and community economic development.
• Knowledge of community economic development principles.
• Knowledge of innovation ecosystem development.

Organizational Needs:
• In support of achieving a diverse workforce, consideration may be given to candidates self-identifying as belonging to one of the following Employment Equity groups: Aboriginal peoples, persons with disabilities, members of visible minorities, and women.

Operational Requirements:
• Willingness to work overtime when required.
• Willingness to travel occasionally

Conditions of employment

Secret security clearance

Other information

The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the designated groups when you apply.

Information on employment equity

TIPS FOR APPLICANTS: When answering the screening questions ensure that you provide complete and thorough details of your experience. Do not assume that the screening board has any previous knowledge of your background, qualifications, or work history. You must be specific and provide concrete examples/details for each experience element, as applications will be screened only on the information provided. Failure to provide sufficient information may result in your application being screened out of the competition.

Communication for this process will be sent via email. Applicants MUST check their email accounts frequently as there may be a deadline for responses. It is the responsibility of the candidate to ensure accurate contact information is provided and updated as required. Candidates who apply to this selection process should include an email address that accepts email from unknown users (some email systems block these types of email).

Depending on the number of applicants, the needs and/or Human Resources plans, volume management strategies such as random selection, top-down approach and/or establishing cut-off scores to determine who will continue in the staffing process, MAY BE USED for the purpose of managing applications
The Public Service of Canada is committed to building a skilled and diverse workforce that reflects the Canadians we serve. We promote employment equity and encourage you to indicate if you belong to one of the des

Preference

Preference will be given to veterans first and then to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, with the exception of a job located in Nunavut, where Nunavut Inuit will be appointed first.

Information on the preference to veterans

We thank all those who apply. Only those selected for further consideration will be contacted.